Positive action reel for gasoline dispensers



Jan. 10, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 10, 1945 f 3 n E O M m 1 3% mW 1,. m.

Jan. 10, 1950 A. B. STEUART POSITIVE ACTION REEL FOR GASOLINE DISPENSERS6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 10, 1945 INVENTOR 072%:0 ,B. Sieuari BY @fflI III LII ATTORNEY Jan. 10. 1950 A. B. STEUART POSITIVE ACTION REEL FORGASOLINE DISPENSERS Filed July 10, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 R 4,. of T a Na E e V 7. 5 W a waif Jan. 10, 1950 A. B. STEUART POSITIVE ACTION REELFOR GASOLINE DISPENSERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 10, 1945 INVENTOR.

A. B. STEUART POSITIVE ACTION REEL FOR GASOLINE DISPENSERS Jan. 10, 19506 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 10, L945 HVVENTUR.

Grfiar B S'Zeaar? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POSITIVE ACTION REEL FORGASOLINE DISPENSERS Arthur B. Steuart, Salisbury, Md, assignor to Martin& Schwartz, 1110., Salisbury, Md, a corporation of Maryland ApplicationJuly 10, 1945, Serial No. 604,148

18 Claims. (01. 299-78) 1 2 This invention relates to apparatus usefulretail sales. It has heretofore been proposed to in dispensing gasolineand other liquids, and it include a hose reel in the cabinets andappahas particular reference to the provision of an ratus commonlyemployed for transferring gasoimproved reel upon which the dispensinghose line from a storage tank to an automobile, but may be coiled whennot in use. ;;the reels heretofore available have been found Theinvention is primarily concerned with the defective for such service. Itis believed that provision of an improved hose reel in which there thoseacquainted with the operating problems is provided mechanism whicheither positively and conditions encountered in this service will locksthe reel against retrograde movement, or readily appreciate theadvantages of'the present which positively unlocks the reel so that aspring .0 invention, and will recognize the features of motor, or otherretracting means, may exert its novelty attending the combining of theimproved influence to the extent desired. One of the obreel with suchdispensing equipment. For illusjectives of the invention is attained bymechatrative purposes, therefore, the present invention nism soorganized that a limited unwinding will be presented with this case inmind. movement of the reel causes a latch member to 2-: Various otherobjects of the invention, and be shifted into a position ofdisengagement, the advantages to be derived from the attainwhile asubsequent unwinding movement, after ment thereof, will appear from aperusal of the an interval of rest, causes the latch member to followingdescription of a typical embodiment,

be shifted into a position preventing reverse roillustrated in theaccompanying drawings, tation of the reel. Stated otherwise, successive[Jr-wherein: pulls on the free end of a hose, to cause rotation Fig. 1is a front elevation of an improved of the reel, automatically set alatch member gasoline dispensing cabinet, with portions of thealternatively into positive locking and unlocking casing removed, andshowing how the reel of this positions, and the engagement ordisengagement invention may be organized with the elements of of thelatch is independent of the speed of ro- *i-the dispenser;

tation, or the actual force applied. With such Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of the equipment means at hand, the hose may be released fromshown in Fig. l; tension while in use, and it may be restored to Fig. 3is a side elevation of the reel, viewed the reel merely by applying aslight tug to it, from the spring motor side; after the dispensingoperation is completed. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the reel;

It is believed that, in this aspect, the principle Fig. 5 is anelevation taken from the opposite of the invention differs from that ofknown types side of the reel; of reels embodying a self-retractingfeature. In Fig. 6 is an enlarged axial section taken some of the priorproposals, it has been sugthrough the hub portion of the reel, anddisclosgested to incorporate manually actuated locking mg the positivelocking mechanism, taken along devices, while in others it has beenproposed to he n o utilize centrifugally actuated fingers whose dis-Fig. '7 is a View partially in section and partially engagement dependsupon the speed of rotation in elevation of one end of the hub structure,of the reel. As distinguished from proposals of taken substantiallyalong the line 1--l of Fig. 6; this nature, the reel of the presentinvention, in Fig. 8 is a view from the other end of the hub itspreferred form, embodies a latching means structure, taken substantiallyalong the line 8-8 which is both automatic and fully positive in its ofFig; 6, and showing the mechanism in locking operation. position; and

Other features of the reel of the present ings 9, 10, and 11 are viewssimilar to Fig. vention have to do with the manner in which the 45 'butshowing the positions taken by the mechareel is constructed to house thelatching mecha--' m a Various Sta es hr u a complete cycle nism, tostore the hose, and to supply the liquid Oper tio from a stationaryconduit to the hose itself. The Referring fi t to Figs. 1 and 2, thereis herein nature of these improvements will be made aD- shown an p vgasoline dispensing apparatus parent as this description proceeds. so ii h h l may e mount s app While reels embodying the features justreratus comprises a sheet metal cabinet 2| having ferred to may beutilized for a great variety of front and back walls 22 and 23 and endwalls 24 purposes, and are by no means restricted to any and 25, securedto a frame indicated in part by specific use, they find one practicalapplication the reference numeral 26, all of which is mounted in thedispensing of gasoline or like liquid at 5 3 on a hollow base casting21. The upper portion of the cabinet is capped by a sheet metal dome 28which, if desired, may carry any suitable legend or trade-mark insignia.

A pump 3|, mounted within the cabinet, is

adapted to be operated by a motor 32 to induct 5 of mounting the variouselements'of the-dis:

pensing system shifts them from the conventional centralized locationsto provide arclearispaceadjacent the bottom of the cabinet, and that italso interconnects such elements into a somewhat unitary sub-assembly.

The'outlet end of the air separator Skis con nected to a transverselyextending liquid conduit-1 3B; herein shown asbeing. formed from tubing;which extends to the-inlet side of a liquid-meter.

39; mounted on the frame zfi by brackets Ill;

Liquid passing througlr'the meter is carried Iup= ward through tubing-42into a sight glass 43? whose windows are visible through the sidewalls22'and23l' The liquid then flows downwardly" through tubing 44, 45; intoan inlet conduit for a hose reel R; which is adapted to carry a length.of hose 43. As best shown in .Fig. l, the outer portion ofthe hose isnormally displayed outside 1= of the cabinet 2!, being supported by avalved discharge nozzle 'l 'from a hook 48.

The-hook or nozzle support '48, in a manner heretofore known in the art,is of the type adapted, by its movement," to control the. operation ofthe-motor 32i'th'roughasuitable linkage 69.1 In:

order to determine the amount of gasoline'fiow-=Q= ing'through' thedispenser, the meter 39 .is connected, through a trainof gears. 5| ,'tovthe -op+-- crating spindle of aregister. 52.? mounted. on: brackets.53: and 54-1 in. the .upper portion 'ofgthee cabinet 2|. The faces ofthe register: are-visible;

through the side: walls of the cabinet through windows 55 and 56. Aftereach operationof the: apparatus;1the register: may-"be reset to a zeroposition by means of areset' crank 51, enforce+- ment of the-resetoperation'being-mandatediby an. interlocking device 58': of 6 knowntype.

In the operation of the equipment just do. scribed, the-x-servic'estation attendant removes the hose nozzle dl' from its support-48;actuates The motor 32 may be directly lfl consists generally of arotatable structure having a hub and side walls, which is mounted at anangle to the walls of the cabinet 2| between two bracket members 6! and62 respectively. The bracket BI is formed as an arched angle ironsection whose ends bear on the base casting 21 andare,securedztheretobysuitable bolts 83. This bracketis formed with a bearing aperture 64(Fig. 4) in which is centered a projection 55 formed on a portion N3 ofa hub piece Hi! of the reelvR- (see also-v Fig. 6). The bracket is alsoformed with other apertures adapted to receive screws 66 entering tappedopenings 5? in the hub piece-to secure itagainst rotation.

The bracket 62 (see also Figs. 4 and 6) is formed as'a casting-having abase section 68 adapted to. beboltedfto the'base casting 27, and with anupper cored section having a bore 69 and a pad 'H-"towhich is bolted aninlet fitting 72 con- 0 nected to the end of the tubing 45. The midportion offthe bracket .62iis transversely bored to providecalsocketr13eadapted to be concentrically aligned-.iwiththe bearingaperture .6 on. thebracket 61,;and an. access. opening it which 1 issubsequently tapped to: receive a, threaded plug .15; A hollowsfixedgaxle 75, formed at its innerend with a reduced concentric portion 11having; a xbushed bore'18, iszshrunk, brazed; or otherwise tightly.fittedtinto. the socket '53 to provideia supportingwmember for the reelR proper; A .seriesrof. circumferentially spaced elongated. apertures 19are also formed in the midportion oft-thegaxle 76to provide a passagefor; thexflow of liquid.

Thereel Ramay be further described as includinga-rmain-spiderorhubcasting (Figs. 4, 6, and 7), andsideplatesdFi'gs. 3,4, and 5) whichextend:::outwardly of the main casting on eitherside thereof to-gprovideauregionfor carrying the convolutions ofawooiledhose, as well as spring;motor; mechanism formetracting the hose when; the :mechanism is so-setas. to permit retrograde rotation:

Ther-main: hub' orspider casting includes and-:84 disposed insubstantially-the central plane ofthecastingr- The members 8 and 83. asshown.

inFig-s 7, are triangular in shape, while the member Msisiormedavith acircumferentially extending-fian ed'seotion- 85-having an arcuate outermargin- 8fixto serve as a gu defor the inner'endoffa hose; The flangesof the section extend from'bothsides oiithe-centerline'of the. memberhpp Start the fil' then 55-84;"to; preserve'adesirable symmetry Thecylindraws enough hose from the reel to enable the: insertionoi thenozzle end into the filling opening of the passenger car; As thegasoline flows through the system, upon manually opening-the nozzlevalve, the meter 39-operates the register 60v 52*to reflect-thequantity. of gasoline delivered; Thereafter the operator letsthe-hosedfi-run backs, on the reel R a suitable distance, andreplaces-.- the nozzle 4-1 on. its-support to deenergize the motor. and?thereby stopthe operation. of the-565.1

pump.

It will, of course, be understood by those-skilled; in therart th at 'inageneral :sense, dispensers including theforegoin elements-are old, andthat" the-features of'ncvelt herein presented: are con.-70

cerned in'one' aspect with the 'wav in which they components areorganized in'and with thecabinet; and; in another aspect, with the aconstructionof the reel Ritself.

- Assbestshown-in Figsel, 2,.,and.:.4; thezreel:

drical blockmerges. atone side. into slightly eccentric boss 81havingaflared and bored outer end-aayadapted to receive a removable endplate 89-w-hich may be-secured bvbclts 9! The boss 8'! is formed with atangential spigot portion 92 whose outer end 93 is turned toward theflanged section and'ista-ppedto receive fitting scoured the marina-lportionfifi andass iust be ond the'extremitiesofrthe'memhers 82 and83. so that, u oncomnl tin vone turn: the next con olut on of 7 thehoseswilljoverlietheqfirsti. This construction,

enables liquid to fiow under pressure through portions of the hoseremaining on the reel after a suitable length has been withdrawn,without danger of pinching the hose or otherwise interfering withsatisfactory operation.

The fiuid path from the tubing 45 and the bore 69 of the bracket 62 maynow be further described, reference primarily being had to Figs. 6 and7. The boss 8'! is internally cored to provide a cavity 95 communicatingwith the spigot 92, the inner end wall of the boss being defined by theradially located pad 96. The cylindrical block 8| is centrally formedwith a stud 9'! which is concentrically bored and counterbored to form asocket 98. The fixed axle I6 projects into the boss 81 for such distancethat its discharge apertures communicate with the cavity 95, and thereduced portion 11 fits within the socket 98 to cause the end of theaxle I9 to abut the pad 96. The end plate 89 bears on the outer surfaceof the axle with a running fit, and it is provided with a shoulder 99engaging packing members IOI which are pressed between the axle andcavity wall by a coiled spring I02, whose opposite end engages the pad96. A bearing stud bolt I03 having a threaded extremity, and which isaccessible through the opening I4 when the plug 15 is removed, passesthrough the bushing 18 of the reduced axle section I! for engagement ina companion tapped aperture formed in the stud section 91.

As thus far described, it will be seen that the main casting, comprisingthe cylindrical portion SI and the boss 81, is rotatably mounted on thefixed axle I6 between the end plate 89 at one side, and the socket 98 onthe other which has a running fit over the reduced portion TI. Liquidentering the axle I6 through the bore 69 therefore flows into the cavity95 through the apertures I9, and thence to the hose 46 through thespigot 92. While the parts 89, 81, 8I, 9'! and I03 are all fixedlyinterconnected, and therefore are constrained to rotate together,leakage of liquid from the cavity 95 is precluded by the spring-pressedpacking IOI on the one hand, and the substantial sealing of the cavityon the other hand by the engagement of the reduced portion 11 in itssocket 98.

The extension members 82, 83, and 84, in addition to being of suchheight as to accommodate the inner convolutions of the hose, alsoprovide means for mounting the side plates of the reel on the hubcasting. As best shown in Fig. 4, the two side plates, respectivelygenerally designated by the reference numerals III and H2, are ofcircular form and of appreciably greater diameter than the hub memberitself. The inner faces of the side plates are formed with horizontallyex tending short fingers H3 and H4, spaced at intervals of 120, and withinwardly extending long fingers H5 and H6 equally located on the sameradius between two of the short pairs. Each of these fingers is drilledand tapped to receive a through bolt H1, and the difference between thelengths of the long and short fingers is such that when the shortfingers are abutted against the members 82, 83, and 84, the long fingersabut each other.

The side plates III and H2 are accordingly mounted on the main spider orhub casting by aligning pairs of short fingers with apertures formed atthe apices of the members 82, 83, and 94, and inserting through bolts IH. The several fingers thereby provide a base member upon which the hosemay be coiled. Inasmuch as the member 84 is provided with a flangedguide portion 86 for the hose, it will be apparent that no pair of longfingers is required between the members 83 and 84, although of course asmany pairs of fingers may be employed as conditions suggest.

The end plate H2, shown in side elevation in Fig. 5, is cut awaycentrally to provide an aperture to clear the cylindrical block 8 Iformed on the main casting, and it is also reduced in weight byadditional openings H9 formed in the side wall. The other end plate IIIis of somewhat difierent construction, as it is utilized to carry aspring motor mechanism, thereby making the reel selfretracting when itslocking member is in disengaged position.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the outer face of the end plate III isformed with a series of concentrically arranged brackets I2I withinwhich is positioned a circular hoop I22 whose periphery is formed withspaeed'slots I23. A pawl I24, pivotally mounted on the outer face of theplate II I by a screw I25, is adapted to drop into whatever slot I23that may be aligned therewith, thus securing the hoop I22 againstrotation relative to the end plate as long as the pawl is engaged. Aspiral spring [26 is positioned within the hoop I22, having its outerend secured thereto by means of a catch I21 mounted in the hoopperiphery. The inner end of the spring I26 is connected to the bracket82, so that, upon rotation of the end plate I II and interconnectedportions of the reel, a tension is built up in the spring tending torestore the reel to a neutral or starting position.

The bracket 62 is provided with four equally spaced radial arms I3Islightly spaced from the outer edge of the hoop I22, and secured to thebracket by suitable bolts or screws I32. These arms project just beyondthe periphery of the hoop, and thus prevent the spring I26 from slippingsideways out of place. One securing bolt, such as that designated by thereference numeral I32a, projects inwardly toward the center of the hoopI22, to provide an anchoring point for the inner end of the spring I26.As with the end plate I I2, the plate I I I is cut away centrally toprovide clearance around the main hub casting, and it is also formedwith suitable apertures I33, I34.

After the parts are assembled, the pawl I24 is moved to a disengagingposition, and the hoop I22 is then rotated within the brackets I2I toimpart as much tension to the spring as may be required to assure thereturn of the hose to an inactive position, such as that indicated inFig. 1. When the hose is withdrawn from the reel, the rotative motioncauses the coils of the spring to be compacted'and thus placed under atension, thereby to make the reel self-retracting when the hose (and thelocking mechanism) is released.

As previously pointed out, the spring I29 constantly tends to restorethe reel and hose to its initial or neutral position, and, therefore,unless a latching member is provided to overcome this tendency, theattendant is constantly subjected to the strain of holding the hoseduring a dispensing operation. In order to lock the reel in any desiredposition, there is accordingly provided the positive latching mechanism,best shown in Fig. 6 and Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive.

Referring primarily to Fig. 6, it will be recalled that the main spideror hub casting, including the cylindrical portion 8I, is rotatable withrespect to the bracket 62 and the fixed axle 76, as well as thepreviously referred-to hub piece mounted on the bracket BI through theprojection 65 and the screws 66. The hub piece itself, generally desig-7 nated by the reference numeral "I 4 I, :is :formed with a generallycylindricalhody portion which extendsinto a substantially cylindricalcavity I42 formed in the casting portion ;8 I, .and ,a reduced sect-ionI43 which projects from the cavity throu'gha cover plate I44,.s,ecuredto the casting 8| by screws I145. The reduced section in turn is mountedon the bracket BI in the manner previouslvdescribed. The inner end ofthe hub piece MI is formed with a socket I45 which is mounted over thestud 97 through a roller bearing Ml, thus permitting'the. stud andconnected main casting BI to have free rotative movement with respect tothe hub piece MI. The latching mechanism proper is contained within thecavity 442, being connected between the hubpiece NH and the walls of thecavityitself.

As viewed 'fromleft to right in Fig. 6, the elements within the cavityI42 comprise a plurality of slightly curved, circumferentially spaced,spring-leaves I 5-I which are held on the inner wall of the cavity bydowel pins I52. The projecting ends of the dowels also support a brakering I53 consisting of an annulus of cork or other suitable materialwhich may be faced with or mounted on alight metal annulus. The brakemember, of course, is provided with uniformly arranged apertures toreceive the dowels E52. It will be obvious that the springs I5Iconstantly thrust the brake ring; I53 to the right, and that these partsare always constrained to rotate with the main casting of the reel.

A circular plate I54, preferably made of brass or other material havinga relatively low coefficient of friction, is'positioned against theright hand face of the brake ring I53. This plate is formed with an.arcuate slot I55, to-provide suitable clearance for a pinion "I aboutto be described, and with a segmental slot I56 spaced from the .arcuateslot, into which extends a radially positioned pin I51, secured :to thehub piece Il. It may be noted here that the plate I54 may rotate withthe hub casting 8 I, or it may be relatively stationary with respectthereto, de-

pending upon the conditions as more fully described later. The extent ofmovement of the plate I54 is limited by the engagement of the pin I57with the radial walls of the slot I56.

The neXt element to be seen in Fig. 6 is an internal ring gear I58, towhich is secured, by rivets g I50, a timing ring I59, which, as shown inFig. 8, is cut on its inner periphery to provide a suitable number ofratchet teeth IBI. The number herein illustrated is twelve, spaced atregular intervals of thirty degrees, but it is to be understood that thenumberof teeth may be varied over wide limits. The right hand surface ofthe timing ring I59 is formed with a groove or race to receive ballbearings IE2, which, as illustrated, may be retm'ned in a cage ring. Asin the case of the plate I54, the ring gear I58 and the timing ring I5Qmay rotate with, or have relative movement with respect to, the mainspider casting.

The ball bearings I62 bear in, a, companion groove or race formed on theinner surface of a locking ring I 54, secured to the casting portion 8!by set screws I55, and formed on its inner periphery with three equallyspaced ratchet teeth ISIS-which face in the same direction as the teethI BI on the timing ring. This completes the identification of the partswhich are annularly mounted within the cavity I42. Cooperating elementsare mounted on the hub piece MI.

. .';Ih e hub piece I M :is formed Withan. upstande I ingsegmental .bossI68 lying. .within the aperturesof the rings I59 and 164, and formedwith aabore at one side constituting a bearing for a pinionshaft IE9.The left hand or inner end of the shaft I 69 has keyed thereto thepinion I'll which partially enters the arcuate slot I on the brass rinI54, and which also meshes with the teeth of the internal ring gear I58.The opp'osite corner of the .boss I68 receives a pin I12 to which is'pivotally connected a pawl I13, adapted :to. engage. the teeth I6I onth timing ring I59, and normally urged into engaging position by a sprinI74, interposed between the pawl and the adjacent surface of the hubpiece .MI. The opposite end of the shaft I 69 is formed with an,eccentric I-lfi, over which is fitted a strap portion I'I'I of a-pitmanI18.

The hub piece MI is formed with a second boss IBI, underlying thelocking ring I64, which is bored to receive a pin I82 pivotallysupporting axpawl I83 adapted .to engage the teeth I66 of the lockingring. The pawl is provided with a projecting, pin I84 which fits into aslot I85 formed on theopposite end of the pitman I18; The pawl I83 isnormally urged into engaging position by a coiled spring 186, similar tothe spring I74. Inasmuch as there must be relative movement between thepawl i583 and the locking ring I154 during unreeling actionthe lockingIillg beingpinned to the rotatable reel portions and the hub piece MIbeing fixed-the outer end of the .pitman I 78. is slotted, thereby topermit the oscillating movement of the pawl I83 while the pitman IE8 isrelatively fixed.

It will be :appreciated that, whenever there is relative rotationbetween the ring gear I58 and the pinion III, to cause rotation of thepinion together with shaft I 69 and eccentric I'IS, then the pitman I78will also travel back and forth to pull the .paWl I83 inwardly, or awayfrom the teeth I55, or to release the slot I85 from the pin -I 84,:sothat the pawl may return to engaging position. This motion, whichprovides for either positive engagement or. disengagement, is utilizedto lock or to. release the reel, the control over the action beingeffected through the other parts contained in' the cavity I42. With thenature and organization of the several elements in mind, the-action maybest be described by reference to Figs. 8, 9, :10, ,and 11, whichillustrate relative positions occurring during a cycle of operation. Inthese figures, the direction of rotation for an'unreeling movement ofthe hose is counterclockwise, while the retrograde or rewindingmotion-is accordingly clockwise. In Fig. 8, the pawl -I-83-is shown asengaging a tooth I on the locking-ring 484, and, inasmuch as the lockingring I64 is connected to the rotary. portions of the reel, while thepawl is connected to the stationary fhub piece Ml, it is apparent thatwith the parts ;in this position, no retrograde or clockwise rotation ispossible. The pawl I33 positively holds the rotarymembers from movementin'tthisdirection. On the other hand, the reel maybe rotated in theunwinding or counterclockwise direction, as in this event the pawl I83will simply oscillate about the pin I82 and click over the cam surfacesI660: of the teeth. "When inthis conditiomthe hose may be released fromtension without being retracted.

Assuming the parts are in the positions as shown in Fig, 8, and that asuitable portion of the hose-T45 has been withdrawn, consideration will.be given; to. the effect of further withdrawins the ,hnse..- As. thereel rotates. in the direction 9 of the arrow, as shown in Fig. 9, thebrake band I53, pressed by the springs II, presses against the brassplate I54 and therefore exerts a thrust against the ring gear I58 andtiming ring I59. As the interconnected gear and ring I59 are thrustagainst the locking ring I64 through the bearings I62, the frictionalengagement through the brake band causes the plate I54, ring gear I58,and timin ring I59 to rotate with the brake and main hub casting. Suchrotation, of course, enforces the rotation of the pinion I1I on its ownaxis, and thereby the rotation of the shaft I69 and the eccentric I16.

This rotary motion causes the pitman I 18 to move upward and inwardlywith respect to the pins I 82 and I84, thereby to pull the pawl I83 intoa position where it will not engage the teeth I66 on the locking ring.The reel is thus unlocked, so that it may now rotate clockwise to rewindthe hose, as well as counterclockwise. Obviously, if the brake band I53continued to cause rotation of the pinion I1I, then the continuedrotation of the reel would restore the pawl I83 to its locking position,and it would be a matter of som uncertainty to determine whether theparts were locked or unlocked.

' Accordingly, the plate I54 is provided with the segmental slot I56,subtending an arc of-thirty degrees to conform to the spacing of theteeth IS! on the timing ring I59, in which is located the fixed pin I51on the hub piece I4I. After a limited rotation, therefore, the upperside of the slot strikes the pin I51, and, because it can move nofarther, the plate' I54 is brought to a stop, and simply slides over thebrake band I53, which then functions in the manner of a Slipping clutch.At the same time, the ring gear I58 and timing ring I58, which had beenrotating with the plate I54, also come to a stop, the plate I54 actingas a brake surface for these last mentioned elements, while the ballbearings I62 relieve any tendency for rotation with the locking ringI64. During the same interval of movement, the rotation of the timingring I59 causes it to advance one tooths distance, thus permitting thetiming pawl I13 to engage the next tooth, and maintain the correctrelative positions of the ring I59 and the plate I54 for successivemotions. Stated otherwise, upon an initial rotary movement in anunwinding direction, the rotation of the ring gear I58 causes a rotationof the pinion I1I, thereby to move the pitman I18 and locking pawl I83into a disengaged or unlocked position. After this action has takenplace, the stop comprising the pin I51 and the upper wall of the slotI56 becomes effective, thus imposing a positive brake upon furtherrotation of the plate, ring gear and pinion, which positive brakeovercomes the action of the friction clutch or brake I53, in itselfresponsible for the, initial rotary motion.

I As long as the reel continues to rotate in a counterclockwise 0runwinding direction, no further changes take place with respect to therelative positions of the latching mechanism. When the tension on thehose is released, however, the spring I26, now under considerabletension, will cause the reel to rotate in a clockwise direction, therebyrestoring the hose. When this action occurs, the pressure of the brakeband I53 on the plate I 54 causes the plate to rotate in a clockwisedirection, to restore the slot I56 to the position shown in Fig. 8,which position is also shown in Fig. 10. However, the timing pawl I13,which is mounted on the stationary I59 to prevent rotation of the ring,and therefore rotation of the ring gear I58. The locking action of thepawl I13 is positive, and the plate I54 therefore slides back to itsformer position, being carried by the clutch disc I53. The retrogrademovement therefore does not impart any motion to the pinion I1! and thepitman I18, and accordingly the locking pawl I83 remains in itsdisengaged position.

The main spider casting and attached end plates may therefore continueto rotate in a clockwise direction as much as may be desired oroccasioned by the spring I26, thus restoring the hose 46 to its initialposition. The speed of rotation may be as much as the tension of thespring I26 dictates, or it may be made less by imparting a slight pullon the free end of the hose, but the disengagement of the locking pawlwill continue as long as the direction of rotation is retrograde, andthis condition is independent of the speed.

7 When the hose is again pulled out, or the reel is again rotated in acounterclockwise direction,

the locking pawl I83 is positively returned to its engaging position.This is illustrated in Fig. 11.

ner previously described. If the hose 46 should now be released,retrograde rotation can occur only through so much of the are betweenthe teeth I66 as will cause the adjacent tooth to engage the pawl l83,the reel thereupon being locked against further clockwise rotation. Asshown in Fig. 11, a clockwise movement of about thirty degrees can occurbefore the locking pawl strikes a tooth I65, during which motion theplate I54 will also rotate, thus moving the parts as shown in Fig. 11 tothe position shown in Fig. 8.

It will thus be seen that each unwinding movement of the reel, followinga period of rest when the hose is relieved of tension, automaticallyconditions the reel for looking or unlocking with respect to rewindingrotation. Unwinding rotation is possible at all times. When the reel isin use, the hose may be pulled out for whatever length is desired, andthe attendant then need only to release the tension. If he should findthat the reel does not lock after a few inches have been recoiled, thenhe has only to tug again, and this next action of course will cause thepawl I83 to move to locking position. After the dispensing operation iscompleted, the attendant merely tugs on the hose inan unwindingdirection, thereby to disengage the latch I83, and he may then let thehose run back into the cabinet as much as he desires. Any length of hosemay be allowed to remain out of the cabinet, as it is only necessary toimpart a further slight tug to restore the pawl I33 to its lockingposition.

Inasmuch as the reel is constantly conditioned to rotate in onedirection, the hose can not be locked in the cabinet against withdrawal.Similarly, since the mechanism causes some slight retrograde movement toshift the plate I54 with respect to the ring gear I58, it will beapparent 11 that the pawl 183 cannot be thrown to engaging position withthe hose completely extended, there always remaining a slight amount ofplay in order to effect the necessary motion to efiect unlocking. Theteeth on the timing gear, it will be noted, are a whole multiple of theteeth on the locking ring, and the actual number of teeth illustratedhave been found suited for reels used in service station equipment.

Obviously, the specific mechanism illustrated may be modified in manyrespects without departure from the principles of the invention, andtherefore it is intended that the foregoing description of oneembodiment shall be taken as exemplary, and not as limiting the scope ofthe invention. It will. also be apparent that while the reel of thepresent invention has been described with reference to apparatus fordispensing gasoline, the reel may be utilized for many other purposes.

It is therefore desired thatthe invention should be measured by thefollowing claims, in which are set forth the various parts andcombinations of which-the foregoing description is explanatory.

I claim l. A reel having a rotatable hub and a relatively fixed axle,.aratchet member having teeth and a pawl interconnected between the huband axle, a movable link. connected to the pawl and adapted whenactuatedto move the pawl successivelyinto-positions of engagement anddisengagement with saidteeth, gearing interconnected between the hub andaxle and to said link for operating said link andthereby said pawl assaid hub is rotated-with respect tosaid axle in one direction and meansinterconnected between the hub and axle to forestall the operation ofthe gearing when said hub is rotated in the other direction.

2. A reel-having a rotatable hub and a relatively fixed axle, a ratchetmember having teeth and a pawl interconnected between the hub and theaxle, a movable linkconnected to the pawl and adapted whenactuatedto-movethe pawl successively. into positions-of engagement anddisengagement with said teeth, a clutch member frictionally connected tothe link and adapted upon limited rotation of the hub in one directionto-actuate said'link and-thereby said pawl, a stop for overcoming saidfrictional connection after said hub hasibeen rotated a limiteddistance, and a-positively engaging member kinematically interconnectedbetween the hub and'axle and to said link for overcoming said frictionalconnection when said hub rotatesin the other direction.

3.--A. reel having, a rotatable hub and a relatively'fixed. axle; aratchet mechanism having teeth. and a pawlinterconnected between the huband axle, a movable link connected to the pawl and adapted when actuatedto move the pawl successively into positions of engagement anddisengagement with said teeth, intermeshing gears respectively carriedby the hub and axle and connected to said link, whereby upon rotation ofthe hubsaid gears are operated to actuate the linkand thereby move' thepawl, a friction membersinterposed'betweenthe gears and the hub fordriving the gears when said hub is rotated, and a positive stop memberconnected between the huband axle andtosaid gears to overcome the forceof the friction member. when said hub isrotatedlin. one directionwhereby actuation of the link occurs only upon movement of the hub inthe opposite direction.

4'. A reel having. a rotatable hub formed with.

a-cavity a-zfriction clutch mounted in said cavity for rotation with thehub, an axle member for the hub, said axle member having a partpositioned in saidcavity, a ratchet member having teeth and a. pawlmounted-in said cavity and between said hub and axle member, alinkconnected tothe pawl and a gear connected to the link, a secondgearmeshing with the first named gear, a frictional connection betweensaid clutch andone of said gears, whereby upon rotation of the hubsaid.clutch..imparts driving force to said gears, and a positive brakemember mounted between said hub and said axle member for overcoming theforce. of. theclutch when said but: is rotated in one directiononly.

5. A. reel having a. rotatable hub member formedwith acavity;arelatively stationary hub piece havingapart mountedin said cavity, aratchet having teeth and a movable pawl disposed insaidcavity andinterconnected between the hub member and. hub piece, aelink connectedto the pawl, a-friction clutch mounted inthe cavity, a pinion gear and aring.gearrespectively carried by the hubpiece-and hub member, one-ofsaid gears being-connected'toithe pawl and the other of said gears beingfrictionallyengaged by the clutch, whereby uponrotation of. the. hubmember a driving force is impartedto said-pawl, and a second. ratchetmounted in said-cavity having teeth anda pawl interconnected-betweenthehub member and hubpiece, andfito saidring gear to prevent rotationof thelatter and thereby overcome said friction clutch whensaid hub member isrotated in one direction.

6; Areel having arotatableihub member and a relatively stationary hubpiecea pawl carried by the hub pieceand a ratchet tooth member carriedbythe hub member, a pitman-mounted on the. hub-piece and. connected tothe pawl at one end, apinion connectedto the pitman at its other end, aring gear carried by the hub member and meshing. with the pinion, clutchmeans carried by the hub member. andnormally engaging the ring gear,wherebyuponrotationof the hub'member said pawl is moved withrespect .tothe ratchet tooth member, and. anoverrunning clutch mem ber interposedbetween the hub member and the hub piece for overcoming the force ofvsaid first named clutch means whensaidhub is rotated in one direction.

7. A reel having a. rotatable hub member and a relatively fixed hubpiece,.a friction clutch carried by the member, a ring gear carried bythe member and. frictionally engagedby .said clutch,

apinion carriedby the hub piece and meshing with the gear, a pitmaneccentrically connected to'the piniomaratchet-tooth member carried bythe hub memberandwa cooperating pawl connected to. the pitman, and an:overrunning positive clutch interposed between the hub'member' andhubpiece and having one of its parts connected tothe ring. gear.

8. A. reel having a rotatable hub member and a relatively fixed hubpiece, a stop ratchet having atooth member and a pawl.- interconnectedbetween the hubmember and-hub piece, afriction clutch carried by the hubmember, a ring gear mounted on the-hub member and engaged bythe frictionclutch, a pinioncarried by the hub piece and meshing with the. gear, apitman eccentrical- 1y connected to thepinion andto the pawl of the stopratchet, a limit stop member. associated with the friction clutchtorestrict the. movement ofthe ring. gear when the hub member isrotated,

and an overrunningclutch member disposed be tween the hub member and thehub piece and connected to the ring gear to prevent rotation of the ringgear by the friction clutch in one direction.

9. A reel having a rotatable hub member and a relatively fixed hubpiece, a spring pressed friction clutch carried by the hub member, aslotted plate disposed adjacent the clutch and engaged thereby, a stoppin on the hub piece engaging the plate and limiting the movementthereof, a ring gear mounted on the hub member and engaged by the plate,a stop ratchet comprising teeth connected to the hub member and acooperating pawl connected to the hub piece, a pinion mounted on the hubpiece and meshing with the ring gear, a connection between theipinionand the pawl to move said pawl with respect to said teeth upon rotationof the hub member, friction clutch, and plate, and an overrunning clutchinterposed between the hub member and hub piece and connected to thering gear to prevent operation of the pawl through said pinionwhen thehub is rotated in one direction.

10. A reel having a rotatable hub member formed with an annular cavity,a friction clutch, slotted plate, ring gear and timing ratchet ringmounted in said cavity, a fixed connection between the gear and ratchetring, a stop ratchet ring annularly mounted in said cavity innonfrictional engagement with the timing ratchet ring, a hub pieceextending into said cavity, pawls carried by said hub piece adapted toengage the teeth of the timing and stop ratchet rings, a pinion meshingwith the ring gear and rotatably mounted on the hub piece, a linkeccentrically connected at one end to the pinion and at the other end tothe pawl of the stop ratchet ring, and a stop pin on the hub pieceextending into the slot of said plate.

11. A reel having a rotatable hub member and a relatively fixed axlemember, a toothed ratchet ring connected to the hub member, acooperating pawl pivotally connected to the axle member, a link mountedon the axle member and having a pin and slot connection with said pawl,whereby said pawl may oscillate upon relative rotation of the ring whilesaid link remains relatively stationary, a clutch member carried by saidhub member and operatively connected to said link thereby to shift thelink and the pawl upon rotation of the hub member in one direction, andan overrunning constantly engaged second clutch for overcoming the forceof the first named clutch when said hub member is rotated in the otherdirection.

12. A reel having a rotatable hub member and a relatively fixed axlemember, a pair of ratchet tooth rings carried by the hub member,cooperating pawls mounted on the axle member, means for urging the pawlon one of said rings into constant engagement with the teeth thereof,means operative upon rotation of the hub member in one direction forintermittently and sequentially shifting the other of said pawls intoengaging and disengaging position with the teeth of the other of saidrings, whereby upon rotation of the hub member in said one directionsaid hub member is conditioned for rotation or non-rotation in theopposite direction, the teeth of said constantly engaged ratchet ringbeing a whole multiple of the teeth of the other ratchet ring.

13. A reel having a rotatable hub member and a relatively fixed hubpiece, said hub member being formed with an annular cavity and anaxially positioned stud projecting into said cavity,

I with respect to the boss, a pawl mounted on the said relatively fixedhub piece being formed with a socket concentrically positioned over saidstud,-

a bearing interposed between the stud and socket, a boss on the hubpiece and extending radially with respect to said cavity,. a pinionshaft mounted in the boss, a stop ratchet ring mounted in the cavity andannularly positioned hub piece adapted to engage the teeth of theratchet ring, a link connected between the shaft and the pawl, a pinionmounted on the opposite end of the shaft, and means interposed betweenthe boss and the walls of the cavity for inter-,-

mittently rotating the pinion in one direction upon rotation of the hubmember, thereby to shift said pawl into alternate positions ofengagement and disengagement with the teeth of the ratchet ring.

14. A reel having a rotatablehub member and a relatively fixed hubpiece, said rotatable hub member being formed with a cavity into which.said hub piece extends; means in said cavityfor alternately securing therotatable hub member against rotation in one direction and for rotationin such direction, a stud concentrically located on the rotatable hubmember, a socket formed in the hub piece having bearing engagement withthe stud, a socket formed in said stud concentric with the first namedsocket, and a hollow shaft extending into said second socket.

15. A reel comprising a main spider member including a substantiallycylindrical portion and an axially located hollow boss portion, a cavityformed in said cylindrical portion and extending to one side thereof, astud formed on said cylindrical portion projecting axially into thecavity, a hub piece formed with a socket extending into said cavity andhaving bearing engagement with the stud, means mounted between the hubpiece and the walls of the cavity for releasably locking the main spidermember against rotation in one direction, a second socket formed in thestud, an axial bore formed in said hollow boss portion, a fluid outletformed on the hollow boss portion, a relatively fixed tubular axleextending into the hollow boss portion, said axle having an inner endhaving bearing engagement with the second socket, apertures formed insaid axle to provide fluid communication from the exterior thereof tosaid fluid outlet, and packing means interposed between the bore of saidhollow boss and said tubular axle.

16. A reel comprising a main spider member including a substantiallycylindrical portion and an axially located hollow boss portion, an axlemember extending into said hollow boss portion axially of thecylindrical portion, said axle being tubular to admit fluid to saidhollow boss portion, a spigot formed on said boss and turned axially ofthe spider member to direct its discharge end toward said cylindricalportion of said spider member, radially located flanges on saidcylindrical portion at substantially the central plane of said spidermember, and side plates extending radially outwardly of the spidermember connected to said flanges, the discharge end of said spigot beingdisposed in the plane of said radially located flanges.

17. A reel having a main spider portion, relatively fixed axle membersextending into the spider portion from opposite sides thereof andproviding bearing means for said spider portion, one of said axlemembers being tubular, a spigot formed on the spider member in fluidcommuniemerge cation-witksaid tubular axle, sa i'd -spigothaviriganoutlet' end diposed circumferentidlly 'of the spider',-e'qua11y spacedradi'al flanges onthe spider", one of said fianges beingcircumferentiaily elongated and formed lwith a c'urved outer surfacecontiguouswith the end of said spigot; side plates mounted on saidfianges in spacedreldtiomand a springmotor'c'arri'ed by one of the side:plates.

18. A reel having a main spider-formed with radially extending flanges;a. pair of side plates htving; inwardly directed fingers abuttings'ai'ci fldnges ,'bo1ts vpassing; through iihe -"fingers 'andfid-nges tomount said sid'e plates; a plurality ofcircmnferentially spaced bracketsformed on the outer face-of one of the side p1ates;a-ho015'sup'- portedby said brackets; saidhoop being formed with a;p1ura1ity"0fperipheralslets, apawl mounted on said one plate and adaptedto enter one of the slots, a-"coiled s'pring mounted insidethe-.hoop andhaving one hoop,- andnreiatively stationary means having a; partentering the-spider androtatably supportendconnected to their'ig"tiiesanre adieieenii "the outer surface of said one plate; said'statibnarymeans being provided witlr'a memberto-engage't'he opposite end of thespring and with means retaining said spring in thehoop.

ARTHUR Bi S TE'UAR'JI REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number IName Date 1-,795j05'8 Townsend Mar. 3, 1931 I 2',094*,182 Nash Sept. 28,1937 2,375,917 Gross May 15, 1945 2,3911840' Mell'et-ti Dec. 25, 1945FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Great Britain Mar. 4, 1938

